The former Port Allen star and SEC All-Freshman Team linebacker will receive a second college chance at the SWAC school after running into off-field issues on multiple occasion, Port Allen Coach Guy Blanchard said.

"He ended up at Texas Southern, and we're excited about it, about him getting a chance to go and show people he's not a terrible -- he just made some silly mistakes," Blanchard said. "We're excited he's getting the opportunity to show he can overcome those things. It's a fresh start. It's a clean start and a second chance to show he's a good person, and that's what we're excited about."

Claiborne missed the Aggies' come-from-behind Chick-fil-A Bowl defeat of Duke after a December arrest for marijuana possession.

He then ran into further legal trouble in February and May, each time with fellow defensive starter Isaiah Golden, a rising freshman defensive tackle who was also dismissed from the football team.

Claiborne received a citation for a noise violation in the first incident, in which Golden was arrested for marijuana possession.

Both were arrested for aggravated robbery June 2 and dismissed the next day.

"These two individuals have failed to meet the high expectations and standards that we have for our football players and as representatives of the university," Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin said in a news release. "These two players have exhibited a pattern of behavior that we will not tolerate at Texas A&M."

Blanchard and others close to Claiborne hope the young athlete can break that pattern and develop a better one about 90 miles southeast of College Station, Texas, in Houston.